How innovative models are eliminating barriers through integrated behavioral health services 

At the recent Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) conference, our VP of Business Development Sarah Lopez shared how we're transforming behavioral healthcare through an integrated crisis response model. The core message? Traditional fragmented systems are failing people when they need help most, and there's a better way forward. 

The problem we are solving 

For too long, mental health and substance use treatment have operated in separate silos with distinct funding streams and treatment programs. This creates real barriers: individuals with co-occurring conditions often receive treatment for only one issue while the other goes unaddressed. Worse, the complexity of navigating multiple systems causes people to lose motivation right when they're most ready for help. 

At Connections, we believe crisis moments shouldn't be obstacles; they should be opportunities. 

Our integrated approach 

We've built a model that delivers comprehensive care in a single, coordinated setting. No wrong doors. No wait times. No prerequisites. 

Our service lines create a complete continuum of care, from urgent care with walk-in access to a psychiatric provider within 90 minutes, through 23-hour observation for rapid assessment and stabilization, to extended crisis stabilization stays when needed. We also help coordinate warm hand-offs to community care for ongoing recovery. 

Three key components that make it work 

1. Immediate, 24/7 access 

We serve any individual at any stage of their behavioral health journey—no insurance required, no referrals needed, no appointments necessary. Whether someone is seeking help for the first time or managing chronic conditions, we meet them where they are, when they need us. 

2. Integrated care with a multidisciplinary team

We treat mental health and substance use simultaneously, not sequentially. Our team brings together psychiatrists, licensed therapists, peer support specialists, case managers, medical staff, and administrative support, every perspective and skillset contributing to one coordinated plan. Using comprehensive screening protocols like ASAM criteria, we identify co-occurring conditions early and address them together. 

3. Peer Support Specialists

One of our most powerful elements is integrating peer support specialists, people with lived recovery experience who build authentic connections, bridge clinical care with community recovery, and inspire hope through personal example. 

The results 

Between August 2024 and July 2025, our outcomes demonstrated the impact of removing barriers to care. We recorded more than 40,500 total admissions (both voluntary and involuntary), first responder drop-offs were completed in under five minutes on average, and patients were typically seen by a psychiatric provider in under forty minutes. 

We've created a seamless continuum of care:

This isn't just about managing crises; it's about transforming them into doorways for lasting recovery. 

Why this matters 

The traditional model has been defined by limitations: can't accept walk-ins, can't treat without insurance, can't address co-occurring conditions simultaneously. We've flipped that paradigm entirely. 

By eliminating prerequisites and addressing mental health and substance use together in a unified setting, we're proving that comprehensive, accessible behavioral healthcare isn't just possible, it's working. 

The future of behavioral health isn't about building more silos. It's about building bridges. 

Interested in learning more about our integrated crisis response mode? Learn more at connectionshs.com/about